Carroll Free Press

The Beauties of Consistency.—Extract from the letter "To the Democracy of Ohio," signed W. Allen, Benj. Tappan, John B. Weller, J. Brinkerhoff, Emery D. Potter, H. St. John, W. C. McCauslin, Jos. Morris, J. Matthews, E. Dean, A. Duncan, (Honorable members of Congress,) dated Washington, May 1, 1844.

"We, your Democratic Delegation in the two houses of Congress, deplore the necessity which compels us to advise you that, notwithstanding this state of facts, we have reason to fear that a very serious movement has for weeks been on foot in this city, in the absence of the people which is intended to act, if possible, upon that Convention, and to induce that body to set aside the will of the American Democracy, thus explicitly and solemnly expressed—to discard the man in whose favor that will was so expressed, and to nominate in his stead some other or any other person."

From the Ohio Statesman, May 29, 1844.

"When the proposed annexation was first broached, it was accompanied by an outcry against the British for attempting to get possession of the country. The cry was 'England would get hold of it and abolish slavery.' The British would get Texas and raise cotton, to the great injury of the southern planters. They would make a free country there, and all our slaves would run off to there."

This tale was for the people—to excite their jealousy, and drive them into annexation with a rush.

"When the treaty was sent in for confirmation, it was not urged before the Senate upon these grounds, as they were proven to be totally false and unfounded. They were raised alone for the purpose of deceiving the people as to the real object, and not a little of evidence was adduced to show that England was desirous of getting possession of Texas, or was in the least degree exerting herself to accomplish that object.

"On the contrary, there were distinct official disavowals of any such risk on the part of Great Britain: and so clear and conclusive was this, that Mr. Calhoun, the Secretary of State, who made the treaty did not dare to place it before the Senate upon such grounds.

"The real object in annexation was the perpetuation and extension of slavery, and of the political power of the slave States! This was the ground upon which the treaty was placed before the Senate. The authors of the treaty desire to see slavery perpetuated in the south. They desired to see the slave-holding interest more powerfully represented in Congress. They wished to get the controlling influence in the councils of the nation."